Ida and Vierka : existence of two models in culture

Ida and Vierka are two female artists of Romani origin, who appear in documentaries Echoes of the Female Soul (directed by Vladimir Merta, 1997) and Verka or the Mysterious Disappearance of the B. Family (directed by Miroslav Janek, 2005). The both cross cultural boundaries in order to succeed as singers in the non-Romani world. Ida, the older and more assimilated one, appears in both films. In the documentary made by Miroslav Janek she serves as a mentor not only for the younger Vierka, but also for the whole family. Ida is trying to introduce the family to the rules and customs common to the world outside Romani settlements. The observation of this process leads to interesting conclusions about the consequences of the contact of different cultures. It makes one ponder about the place of the Romani’s in the modern cultural landscape of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The context of media plays an importance role - as a reference point, a source of pattern of behavior and a measure of the artistic success.